September  2013 meeting presentation by Frank Lotrich, M.D., Ph.D.

Fungi are in their own separate kingdom.  They are not plants.  They are not animals.  And they’ve evolved their own unique set of chemicals, sugars, polysaccharides, proteins, and assorted other chemicals.  Some of these compounds have potential uses and therapeutic benefits.  And some can be detrimental to our health.  Of course, some are both useful and harmful.  This talk will provide a broad overview of various toxins and therapeutic compounds that can be found in fungi.

Bio:

Dr. Lotrich is associate professor of psychiatry at UPMC, where he is an active psychopharmacology researcher, examining the interacting roles of genetics and inflammation.  He received both his MD and PhD back in Oregon, where he also acquired his fascination with mushrooms.

 

Frank Lotrich very kindly gave us permission to share the presentation with the general public: